Missing Darwin notebooks returned after 20 years

Two of naturalist Charles Darwin’s notebooks that were reported stolen from Cambridge University’s library have been returned, two decades after they disappeared.

The notebooks, which include the 19th-century scientist’s famous 1837 “Tree of Life” sketch, went missing in 2001 after being removed for photographing, though at the time staff believed they might have been misplaced. After searches of the library’s collection of 10 million books, maps and manuscripts failed to find them, they were reported stolen to police in October 2020.

Local detectives notified the global police organisation Interpol and launched an international hunt for the notebooks, valued at millions of pounds (dollars).

On March 9, the books reappeared, left in a public area of the building, outside the librarian’s office, which is not covered by security cameras. The two notebooks were in their archive box, and appeared undamaged. The accompanying note said: “Librarian Happy Easter X.”

Darwin filled the notebooks with ideas shortly after returning from his voyage around the world on HMS Beagle, developing ideas that would bloom into his landmark work on evolution, On the Origin of Species.

Mattel unveils Elizabeth II Barbie on queen’s birthday

Queen Elizabeth II has got her own Barbie in honour of her 96th birthday and upcoming Platinum Jubilee.

California-based toymaker Mattel released the doll on the monarch’s birthday in commemoration of her 70 years of service, which will be celebrated beginning on June 2.

The doll is dressed in ivory, complete with a blue sash and a tiara modelled on the one the Queen wore on her wedding day.

Queen Elizabeth II is marking her birthday privately, retreating to the Sandringham estate in eastern England that has offered the monarch and her late husband, Prince Philip, a refuge from the affairs of state.

While public celebrations will take place June 2-5, when four days of jubilee festivities have been scheduled to coincide with the monarch’s official anniversary.

Published in Dawn, Young World, April 30th, 2022